The Idols

The Idols were a four piece band from Rossendale and Bury, consisting of Mike Sax vocals, his brother Ray Sax bass, from Waterfoot, Rossendale. John Sykes lead guitar from Bury and Graham Bailey ex Beatmakers drummer, from Crawshawbooth, Rossendale. They were originally called Mike Sax and the Vikings, but changed to Mike Sax and the Idols on securing a record and publishing contract with Phillips (Mercury) record label, and Dix Music Publishers, with the Franz brothers, Johnny and Harold. "Don't Walk Away" released 1964. They became the "Idols" on their second release "My Little One" 1965. The Viking name was dropped because there was Carl Wayne and the Vikings already recording. At one time they were in the same stable as the Pedlars, Four Pennies and Hermans Hermits, under the John Lewis Agency. They were club rather than a progressive rock band, and shortly after a 3 month season in 1967 at the Red Lion, Rimini, Italy; they disbanded. Graham and Ray re-amerged a couple of years later along with Sean Watson, Lead guitar and singer who was in (Junior). But eventually hung up their respective instruments, and started thinking about work. But it was a blast! while it lasted. I have just a couple of photos, one that Ray Sax took in 1963 and a publicity photo on writing paper, which in 1964/65 was state of the art technology. I did manage to buy our two records on ebay, can you believe that I was outbid on one them, but luckily there was another one for sale at the same time. It must have been fate to get them, for I have never seen either of them on there since. Mind you its no big surprise, we didn't sell that many to start with. (Submitted 01.07.08 by Graham Bailey) "The band name was either The Idols or Mike Sax and the Idols, same four guys, so we couldn't work separately. Mike Sax and the Idols was the name on the first record, The Idols was the name on the second record. I think it had something to do with more money? Three of the four got paid for session work on the second record, and for that in those days, they could have called us what they wanted." (Submitted 02.07.08 by Graham Bailey)